A hydrogen separation system and membrane is described for extracting hydrogen from gasifier streams at near atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature conditions. The system can be inserted between a small gasifier and an internal combustion engine which runs a genset to optionally co-produce hydrogen and electricity. The hydrogen is used in a number of important industrial processes.

A hydrogen separation system and membrane is described for extracting hydrogen from gasifier streams at near atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature conditions. The system can be inserted between a small gasifier and an internal combustion engine which runs a genset to optionally co-produce hydrogen and electricity. The hydrogen is used in a number of important industrial processes.

Efficient energy storage is provided by using a working fluid flowing in a closed cycle including a ganged compressor and turbine, and capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. This system can operate as a heat engine by transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side to mechanically drive the turbine. The system can also operate as a refrigerator by mechanically driving the compressor to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. Heat exchange between the working fluid of the system and the heat storage fluids occurs in counter-flow heat exchangers. In a preferred approach, molten salt is the hot side heat storage fluid and water is the cold side heat storage fluid.

Efficient energy storage is provided by using a working fluid flowing in a closed cycle including a ganged compressor and turbine, and capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. This system can operate as a heat engine by transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side to mechanically drive the turbine. The system can also operate as a refrigerator by mechanically driving the compressor to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. Heat exchange between the working fluid of the system and the heat storage fluids occurs in counter-flow heat exchangers. In a preferred approach, molten salt is the hot side heat storage fluid and water is the cold side heat storage fluid.

A thermal energy storage plant is provided including a charging circuit and a discharging circuit, the charging circuit including: a first fluid transporting machine for generating a flow of a working fluid in the charging circuit, a heating device for transferring heat to the working fluid, a main heat accumulator for storing the thermal energy of the working fluid, the discharging circuit including the main heat accumulator, a heat exchanger included in a thermal cycle for transforming the thermal energy stored into mechanical power, the thermal energy storage plant further comprising a secondary heat accumulator including a first end connected to the charging circuit, downstream the heating device, a second end connected to the discharging circuit, upstream the heat exchanger.

In one embodiment, the steam separator includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a first swirler configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe. The first swirler is configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. The first swirler includes a direct flow portion and an indirect flow portion. The direct flow portion has a direct flow channel for permitting direct flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler, and the indirect flow portion has at least one indirect flow channel defined by at least one vane in the first swirler for providing an indirect flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler.

In one embodiment, the steam separator includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a first swirler configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe. The first swirler is configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. The first swirler includes a direct flow portion and an indirect flow portion. The direct flow portion has a direct flow channel for permitting direct flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler, and the indirect flow portion has at least one indirect flow channel defined by at least one vane in the first swirler for providing an indirect flow of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream through the first swirler.

A feed-water discharge side of a condenser is connected to a feed-water entry side of an flue gas cooler through a bypass line provided with a steam production preventive pump and with an inlet cutoff valve. A feed-water discharge side of the flue gas cooler is connected to the feed-water entry side of the condenser through a steam production preventive water circulation line provided with an outlet cutoff valve. When a boiler feed-water pump is stopped in boiler fuel cutoff, the inlet and outlet cutoff valves are opened and the steam production preventive pump is activated to cause water to flow through the bypass line into the flue gas cooler, is returned through the steam production preventive water circulation line to the condenser and is circulated.

A feed-water discharge side of a condenser is connected to a feed-water entry side of an flue gas cooler through a bypass line provided with a steam production preventive pump and with an inlet cutoff valve. A feed-water discharge side of the flue gas cooler is connected to the feed-water entry side of the condenser through a steam production preventive water circulation line provided with an outlet cutoff valve. When a boiler feed-water pump is stopped in boiler fuel cutoff, the inlet and outlet cutoff valves are opened and the steam production preventive pump is activated to cause water to flow through the bypass line into the flue gas cooler, is returned through the steam production preventive water circulation line to the condenser and is circulated.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide systems and methods for a waste heat recovery and conversion. The waste heat recovery and conversion system includes a housing non-invasively mountable onto an engine. The waste heat recovery and conversion system also includes a power conversion unit (PCU) entirely within the housing. The PCU includes heat exchangers, an expander, an electrical power generator, and a fluid pump. The heat exchangers, the expander, the fluid pump, and the fluid reservoir form a thermodynamic loop that drives the electrical power generator using thermal energy from waste heat. Under various configurations the waste heat recovery and conversion system offer pollutant reduction features all together with fuel savings.